Faculty Handbook

appl

Appendix L

Guidelines

The purpose of a pilot project is to allow an academic entity to test and evaluate a new program, procedure, technique, etc. in order to determine its feasibility and effectiveness.

As a general principle, EPC believes that creativity, innovation and experimentation in programs and procedures should be supported and encouraged. It is also the position of EPC that there should be some oversight of the nature, progress and outcomes of pilot projects that may have a broad or significant impact on students, curriculum, policies or procedures.

Criteria

The reporting guidelines below should be adhered to if the pilot project meets one or more of the following criteria:

Exempts students from a University and/or CSU Requirement(s).

Affects students from more than one college.

Is planned to extend for two or more years.

Requires University resources from beyond the college(s) in which the pilot project is being conducted.

Examples

Since pilot projects are experimental in nature, they may take many forms, and so examples are provided here for clarity. Examples of pilot projects include the following:

Aide to Teacher Education Program (ATEP), which affected more than one college.

The Math Diagnostic Testing Program, which is a CSU pilot affecting several CSU campuses.

A pilot change from a comprehensive exam to a national standardized exam, which represents an exemption from existing University standards.

Under these guidelines, information about the pilot would be shared both among administrators and through governance channels. This pilot project affected all colleges.

Reporting Guidelines

Pilot projects that meet the above criteria shall

Submit the following to the Provost before implementation:

A description of the pilot project, including goals and objectives.

Information addressing the criteria listed above.

Anticipated beginning and ending dates.

The name of the person responsible for the pilot project.

The approval of the department chair(s), dean(s) and administrator(s), as appropriate.

Submit to the Provost a brief annual report before the end of each Spring Quarter that includes

A summary of activities since the project’s implementation or last annual report.

A description of any major changes in the project including goals and objectives.

The progress made in meeting the project’s goals and objectives.

The Provost shall

Consult with the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate upon receiving notice of the intent to initiate a pilot project, as appropriate.

Provide the following to EPC each Fall Quarter:

A description of projects that either were initiated during the previous year, or that have been approved for the upcoming year.

A summary of the progress made in the past year by each of those pilot projects previously implemented.